PPC22: Cork it!

So…

in our last post in this series I showed you the 2nd Gorilla Sample (or prototype) that we’ve created in the runup to this new pattern! We still have quite a few little things to tweek or modify but at this point I’m secure enough with the major components that I’m ready to start making some “show-worthy” samples!

For this sample I used a sensational looking piece of cork for the upper bag and a swirl-illusion piece of cotton for the base (for lack of a suitably matching red in a cork fabric).
This was the same brand of cork I’ve used in the past and I love it because its super thin, as flexible as quilter’s cotton and as durable as denim!

I made some pretty big changes up at the zipper attachment area! I increased the size of the Top Link so it fully surrounds the Zipper Panels now. Additionally, I went back to using 1″ wide webbing for the Bag Handle. I like the thinner look better and since I covered the webbing this time, I think it looks WAY more finished & professional!

I did however, make some pretty MAJOR modifications along the way in the course of making this particular sample. For one thing I shortened AND slenderized the zipper panel portion of this strap combo in order to provide for more capacity to lengthen or shorten the thinner, adjustable straps and also so it would fit less detectably into the Top Link located just above the back zipper!
Additionally, and most importantly I added an extremely important component to this design & you can see it gleaming beautifully in front of the slide buckle in the picture above at left. That’s right, its a ZIPPER LOCK! One of the biggest complaint I hear about backpacks is that danger it imposes by pickpockets when carried on your back and this little lever lock solves that problem! It’s easy to use but impossible to open with one hand, AND it adds a lovely bit of bling to the look of this bag! I think you’ll be pleased with the security it provides!

So as you can see, this bag can obviously be worn as a backpack. Simply unzip the back strap and Voila… instantly your shoulder straps appear and you’re OFF on an adventure! If you prefer to carry your bag as a shoulder bag, keep the strap zipped and clip BOTH of the thinner strap adjusters into ONE of the base D-rings!

One area that was an issue in the two earlier “gorilla samples” was the Zipper Tab area just under the main entry zipper. For some reason, the bag shape was kinda collapsing in that spot. It just wasnt maintaining the shape as it should have due primarily to the fact that this tiny area wasn’t previously supported by the same inner materials as the rest of the bag but I made some changes in this round and I’m reasonably satisfied that I have this problem solved with this sample. Of course, cork is more supportive in and of itself than cotton is, so I won’t know for sure until I make up a bag in cotton materials, so more on this later!

A few Vital Statistics-

Bag Measurements– This bag measures 12″ wide X 12″ tall X 3.5″ front to back. It doesn’t have a name (as usual) and I’m wide open for suggestions!

Exterior Fabric– For this sample we used an innovative abstract cork material which was fun and easy to use. We do have a limited supply of this particular style as well as a few other varieties of cork so if you’re interested you can get more info here!

So… I hope you’ll stay tuned for our next post in this series when I’ll show you the next sample we worked up in the process of creating our new pattern for Summer 2020 and between now & then, if you think of a clever name for this pattern, please let me know!

And now…. it’s YOUR turn!

I’d love to hear what you think of this design in general and this sample in particular! And remember, we love reading your comments and answering your questions too, so please feel free to leave either or both in the space provided below.

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